Why did the bus driver not stop for the worker?

Question

Accepted Answer

The bus driver did not stop because the vehicle was already full.

Bus driver Lee Kim Huat indicated to Indian national Sakthivel Kumaravelu that the bus was full and therefore would not be making a stop. Lee stated that this was the last time he saw the worker. The incident occurred on the night of December 8 as Lee was driving along Tekka Lane.
Driver Signalled Bus Was Full

Lee Kim Huat, 55, observed Sakthivel Kumaravelu, 33, signalling for the bus to stop. However, Lee responded by signalling back that the bus was at capacity. He confirmed this action in a statement provided to investigators, which was presented at the Committee of Inquiry into the Little India riot.
Collision Occurred During Turn

As Lee proceeded to turn onto Race Course Road, he checked his side mirror and did not see the worker. Lee then felt a bump from the left side of the bus as he was completing the turn. Upon alighting, both Lee and the passengers discovered Sakthivel lying beneath the vehicle's left rear wheel.
Driver's Actions Post-Incident

When questioned about why he did not assist Sakthivel immediately after the collision, Lee explained that he was following protocol and was not supposed to act after such an incident. He also conveyed that he was very scared at the time and that it did not occur to him to help. Lee initially thought Sakthivel was dead, given the size of the vehicle.
Monitor Usage and Visibility Issues

The inquiry also revealed that Lee did not activate a monitor on his dashboard, which could display objects near the bus. He cited that the glare from the monitor could be distracting. Furthermore, Lee suggested that even if the monitor were on, poor lighting conditions would have prevented him from seeing Sakthivel.

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Why did the bus driver not stop for the worker?

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